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Digital twin (DT) technology has become an effective means of industrial digital transformation due to its ability to realize virtual-real mapping, data fusion, etc. In recent years, the application of DT technology to the assembly process of complex mechanical products in multiple fields can effectively overcome the drawbacks of the current assembly method, which is a new strategy for achieving high-precision and high-efficiency intelligent assembly. However, there are few reviews of DT's intelligent assembly technology and application for complex mechanical products. Based on the composition of the DT assembly system, the paper systematically summarizes the critical technologies of DT assembly, including DT model representation of the assembly objects, DT model construction of the assembly process, and DT data collection/management. The application of the DT assembly model based on virtual and real fusion in online monitoring, quality prediction, process planning, real-time control, etc. is comprehensively reviewed. Finally, the challenges faced by DT intelligent assembly of complex mechanical products are described, and future research directions are predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the number of college students infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has increased significantly in China, the risk of occupational exposure to HIV among healthcare workers (HCW) in college campus clinics has also increased. Our study aimed to evaluate the awareness of HCWs in terms of preventing occupational HIV exposure in college campus clinics compared with HCWs in tertiary hospitals. This cross-sectional study was conducted in nine provinces in China from September to October 2019 (10 college campus clinics, 7 tertiary hospitals). The study's response rate was recorded to be at 87.62% (184 of 210). The knowledge score of HIV among all HCWs was determined to be generally low (67.17 ± 11.17 points), and that of college campus clinics and tertiary hospitals showed no significant difference (66.36 ± 10.36 vs. 67.63 ± 11.61 points, P=0.463). Overall, HCWs in both college campus clinics and tertiary hospitals showed inadequate knowledge regarding occupational HIV exposure. Training for the prevention of occupational HIV exposure should be strengthened in both medical institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since bearing fault signal in complex running status is usually characterized as nonlinear and non-stationary, it is difficult to extract accurate affluent features and achieve effective fault identification via conventional signal processing tools. In this article, a rolling bearing fault diagnosis technique based on variational mode decomposition and weighted multidimensional feature entropy fusion is proposed to address this issue, which is mainly composed of three procedures. First, the original signal undergoes the variational model decomposition. Next, the signal features are extracted by weighted multidimensional feature entropy as the input of the diagnosis model. Finally, the classification is performed by a convolutional neural network. The method is applied in simulation and experimental analysis. The experimental results show that the proposed method, which demonstrates strong immunity to noise and robustness, can more effectively and adaptively extract the fault features of rolling bearings and achieve the goal of identifying the rolling bearing fault category and damage degree under variable operating conditions. Meanwhile, this approach exhibits superior accuracy and identification performance to some similar entropy-based hybrid approaches referred to in this article, with a promising prospect in industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maize requires more water than most other crops; therefore, the water use efficiency of this crop must be improved for maize production under undesirable land and changing environmental conditions. Results: To elucidate the genetic control of drought in maize, we evaluated approximately 5000 inbred lines from 30 linkage-association joint mapping populations under two contrasting water regimes for seven drought-related traits, including yield and anthesis-silking interval (ASI). The joint linkage analysis was conducted to identify 220 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) under well-watered conditions and 169 QTLs under water-stressed conditions. The genome-wide association analysis identified 365 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with drought-related traits, and these SNPs were located in 354 candidate genes. Fifty-two of these genes showed significant differential expression in the inbred line B73 under the well-watered and water-stressed conditions. In addition, genomic predictions suggested that the moderate-density SNPs obtained through genotyping-by-sequencing were able to make accurate predictions in the nested association mapping population for drought-related traits with moderate-to-high heritability under the water-stressed conditions. Conclusions: The results of the present study provide important information that can be used to understand the genetic basis of drought stress responses and facilitate the use of beneficial alleles for the improvement of drought tolerance in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macropinocytosis is a normal cellular process by which cells internalize extracellular fluids and nutrients from their environment and is one strategy that Ras-transformed pancreatic cancer cells use to increase uptake of amino acids to meet the needs of rapid growth. Paradoxically, in non-Ras transformed medulloblastoma brain tumors, we have shown that expression and activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase TrkA overactivates macropinocytosis, resulting in the catastrophic disintegration of the cell membrane and in tumor cell death. The molecular basis of this uncontrolled form of macropinocytosis has not been previously understood. Here, we demonstrate that the overactivation of macropinocytosis is caused by the simultaneous activation of two TrkA-mediated pathways: (i) inhibition of RhoB via phosphorylation at Ser185 by casein kinase 1, which relieves actin stress fibers, and (ii) FRS2-scaffolded Src and H-Ras activation of RhoA, which stimulate actin reorganization and the formation of lamellipodia. Since catastrophic macropinocytosis results in brain tumor cell death, improved understanding of the mechanisms involved will facilitate future efforts to reprogram tumors, even those resistant to apoptosis, to die. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A genome-wide association study (GWAS) is the foremost strategy used for finding genes that control human diseases and agriculturally important traits, but it often reports false positives. In contrast, its complementary method, linkage analysis, provides direct genetic confirmation, but with limited resolution. A joint approach, using multiple linkage populations, dramatically improves resolution and statistical power. For example, this approach has been used to confirm that many complex traits, such as flowering time controlling adaptation in maize, are controlled by multiple genes with small effects. In addition, genotyping by sequencing (GBS) at low coverage not only produces genotyping errors, but also results in large datasets, making the use of high-throughput sequencing technologies computationally inefficient or unfeasible. Results: In this study, we converted raw SNPs into effective recombination bins. The reduced bins not only retain the original information, but also correct sequencing errors from low-coverage genomic sequencing. To further increase the statistical power and resolution, we merged a new temperate maize nested association mapping (NAM) population derived in China (CN-NAM) with the existing maize NAM population developed in the US (US-NAM). Together, the two populations contain 36 families and 7,000 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). One million SNPs were generated for all the RILs with GBS at low coverage. We developed high-quality recombination maps for each NAM population to correct genotyping errors and improve the computational efficiency of the joint linkage analysis. The original one million SNPs were reduced to 4,932 and 5,296 recombination bins with average interval distances of 0.34 cM and 0.28 cM for CN-NAM and US-NAM, respectively. The quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for flowering time (days to tasseling) indicated that the high-density, recombination bin map improved resolution of QTL mapping by 50 % compared with that using a medium-density map. We also demonstrated that combining the CN-NAM and US-NAM populations improves the power to detect QTL by 50 % compared to single NAM population mapping. Among the QTLs mapped by joint usage of the US-NAM and CN-NAM maps, 25 % of the QTLs overlapped with known flowering-time genes in maize. Conclusion: This study provides directions and resources for the research community, especially maize researchers, for future studies using the recombination bin strategy for joint linkage analysis. Available resources include efficient usage of low-coverage genomic sequencing, detailed positions for genes controlling maize flowering, and recombination bin maps and flowering- time data for both CN and US NAMs. Maize researchers even have the opportunity to grow both CN and US NAM populations to study the traits of their interest, as the seeds of both NAM populations are available from the seed repository in China and the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer--related death among women. In this paper, we studied the variations in the trends of Chinese female breast cancer mortality by age, period and cohort from 1990 to 2009. Methods: The mortality data were collected from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. An age-period-cohort model and Intrinsic Estimator were used to estimate the age effect, period effect and cohort effect on the Chinese adult female breast cancer mortality risk. Results: The age effect on Chinese female breast cancer mortality initially increased, but then declined, and showed a reversed "J" shape with age. The period effect of breast cancer mortality continued to rise with the time period and increased by 59 % from 1990-1994 to 2005-2009. The cohort effect showed that the mortality risk of Chinese females born after 1911 was on the decline and decreased by 2.2336 from 1911 to 1989. The change rate of the cohort effect on breast cancer mortality fluctuated regularly. Three accelerating decreases and three decelerating decreases were noted in the variation law of the change rate. Conclusion: The results of study show the increasing mortality trend of breast cancer in Chinese female from 1990 to 2009, and the breast cancer mortality risk decreased with birth cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the study of the effect of 2D and 3D mathematical model in salinity simulation, with Liuheng island strong brine discharge of seawater desalination project as an example, using 2D and 3D salinity mathematical models of Liuheng island to simulate coastal hydrodynamic environment and salinity distribution before and after the concentrated brine discharge, and analyzed the results. Finally got the applicable scope of the two models, it has an important significance in the study of similar problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an acoustic system with broadband asymmetric transmission is designed and fabricated, which consists of a water-immersed aluminum plate engraved with quasi-periodically-patterned ridges on single surface. It demonstrates that when the acoustic waves are launched into the system from the structured side, they can couple into the Lamb modes in the plate efficiently and attain a high transmission; on the contrary, when the waves are incident from the opposite flat side, the coupling is weak, and the transmission is low. Superior to systems with periodic patterning, this quasi-periodically-patterned system has a broad working frequency range due to the collective contributions from the multiple diffractions specific to the structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, negative signals are frequently observed during the measuring process of monochromatic incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) for sensitized solar cells by DC method. This phenomenon is confusing and hindering the reasonable evaluation of solar cells. Here, cause of negative IPCE values is studied by taking quantum dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC) as an example, and the accurate measurement method to avoid the negative value is suggested. The negative background signals of QDSC without illumination are found the direct cause of the negative IPCE values by DC method. Ambient noise, significant capacitance characteristics, and uncontrolled electrochemical reaction all can lead to the negative background signals. When the photocurrent response of device under monochromatic light illumination is relatively weak, the actual photocurrent signals will be covered by the negative background signals and the resulting IPCE values will appear negative. To improve the signal-to-noise ratio, quasi-AC method is proposed for IPCE measurement of solar cells with weak photocurrent response based on the idea of replacing the absolute values by the relative values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damage of collagen fibers in tendons is often directly related to changes in a tendon's mechanical properties. Direct quantitative elasticity measurement of tendons will provide important information in tendon dysfunction diagnosis and treatment assessment. A feasibility study of quantifying the mechanical properties of a degenerated tendon model by a nondestructive imagingmodality, which combines optical coherence elastography and acoustic radiation force (ARF) method, is presented. The degenerated tendon model was produced by the partial degradation of chicken tendons through incubation with collagenase at different concentrations and incubation times. A 30-kHz longitudinal ultrasound transducer was used to provide an ARF signal, which was detected by an ultra-high sensitive phase sensitive optical coherence tomography (PhS-OCT) system. The experimental results demonstrate that the combination of ARF method and PhS-OCT can measure the elasticity of tendon quantitatively. The corresponding changes in tendon elasticity due to the application of collagenase have been revealed by this new imaging modality. This method can potentially be used in the assessment of tissue engineering products and in the diagnosis and treatment progression of tendon diseases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, we investigated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Patients and Methods: A total of 30 patients with moderate and severe TBI and 15 age-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Plasma and CSF samples were collected within 24 h (as the initial value), at 72 and 120 h post injury. CSF and plasma MMP-9, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were estimated using ELISA. Different levels of these indexes were compared in the two groups and further investigated the correlation between each other. Results: There was a significant elevation in the levels of the initial MMP-9 in the CSF (P < 0.05), which lasted for 72 h post injury. TIMP-1 kept increasing within 120 h post injury and it was different compared with TIMP-1 at 24 and 72 h post injury. Plasma levels of MMP-9, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in TBI patients were also significantly different from those in controls. Furthermore the CSF MMP-9 in patients with severe TBI was higher than that in patients with moderate TBI. In addition, there was a positive relationship between the initial MMP-9 and TIMP-1 at 120 h post injury (r = 0.614, P < 0.01). Conclusion: MMPs and TIMPs are increased in both CSF and plasma of TBI patients. TIMP-1 has a positive correlation with MMP-9 and the initial MMP-9 is associated with the neurological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on petrological studies of the wall rocks, mineralizing rocks, ores and veins from the Laowangzhai gold deposit, it is discovered that along with the development of silication, carbonation and sulfidation, a kind of black opaque ultra-microlite material runs through the spaces between grains, fissures and cleavages. Under observations of the electron microprobe, scanning electronic microscopy and energy spectrum, this kind of ultra-microlite material is confirmed to consist of ultra microcrystalline quartz, silicate, sulfides and carbonates, as well as rutile, scheelite and specularite (magnetite), showing characters of liquation by the analyses of SEM and energy spectrum. The coexistence of immiscibility and precipitating co-crystallization strongly suggests that the mineralizing fluid changed from the melt to the hydrothermal fluid. Combined with the element geochemical researches, it is realized that the ultra-microlite aggregate is the direct relics of the mantle fluid behaving like a melt and supercritical fluid, which goes along with the mantle-derived magma and will escape from the magma body at a proper time. During the alteration process, the nature of the mantle fluid changed and it is mixed with the crustal fluid, which are favorable for mineralization in the Loawangzhai gold deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to harmonize the functions of both anticoagulation and accelerating endothelialization simultaneously, the micropatterns were fabricated by photoimmobilizing heparin, functionalized with a photoreactive moiety, on 3-aminopropylphosphonic acid modified titanium oxide (Ti-O) substrates. The amount of heparin immobilized on the surfaces was determined using the toluidine blue assay. And the surface morphology of the patterns was examined using scanning electron microscopy and surface profiler. The platelet adhesion and endothelial cell behavior in terms of adhesion, proliferation, and orientation were investigated in vitro. It is clear that the heparin patterns can reduce the platelet adhesion, and promote endothelial cells spreading and proliferation compared to nonpatterned heparin sample. Furthermore, the microstripes with appropriate size can induce the cells to elongate and arrange along the stripe direction. This may suggest a new modification method for blood-contacting device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J. Neurochem. (2009) 112, 882–899. Ectopic expression of the TrkA receptor tyrosine kinase in tumors of the nervous system can mediate nerve growth factor (NGF)-dependent cell death by apoptosis and /or autophagy. Herein, we demonstrate that TrkA can also induce cell death in medulloblastoma Daoy cells by a caspase-independent mechanism that involves the hyperstimulation of macropinocytosis. Specifically, NGF-stimulates the uptake of AlexaFluor546-dextran into lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 positive vacuoles which fuse with microtubule associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) positive autophagosomes, to form large intracellular vacuoles (> 1 μm), which then fuse with lysotracker positive lysosomes. While LC3 cleavage and the appearance of LC3 positive vacuoles suggest the induction of autophagy, siRNA reduced expression of four proteins essential to autophagy (beclin-1, Atg5, LC3 and Atg9) neither blocks NGF-induced vacuole formation nor cell death. TrkA activated cell death does not require p38, JNK or Erk1/2 kinases but does require activation of class III PI-3 kinase and is blocked by the casein kinase 1 (CK1) inhibitor, D4476. This inhibitor does not interfere with TrkA activation but does block NGF-dependent AlexaFluor546-dextran uptake and CK1 dependent phosphorylation of β-catenin. Collectively, these data demonstrate that TrkA stimulates cell death by a novel mechanism involving CK1-dependent hyperstimulation of macropinocytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of the NCEP and 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data and the Xisha Island station observation indicates that the low-level meridional wind (LLMW) over the South China Sea (SCS) experienced an interdecadal variation since the late 1970s. The LLMW change is associated with the reduction of tropospheric temperature in midlatitude East Asia. A mechanism is put forward to explain the triggering and maintenance of the tropospheric cooling. The enhanced convective heating over the southern South China Sea results in a meridional vertical overturning circulation, with anomalous descending motion appearing over continental East Asia. The anomalous descending motion reduces the local humidity through both anomalous low-level divergence and dry vertical advection. The decrease of the local tropospheric humidity leads to the enhanced outgoing longwave radiation into space and thus cold temperature anomalies. The decrease of the temperature and thickness leads to anomalous low (high) pressure and convergent (divergent) flows at upper (lower) levels. This further enhances the descending motion and leads to a positive feedback loop. The fall in tropospheric temperature over continental East Asia reduces the land–sea thermal contrast and leads to the weakening of cross-equatorial flows and the LLMW over SCS. A further diagnosis indicates that the LLMW is closely linked to the summer precipitation and temperature variations in China on interdecadal time scales. A weakening of the LLMW after 1976 is associated with a “-, +, -” meridional rainfall pattern, with less rain in Guangdong Province and north China but more rain in the Yangtze and Huaihe River basins and northeast China, and a “+, -, +” temperature pattern, with increased (decreased) surface temperature in the south and north (central) China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile means for obtaining nearly monodispersed Mn 2(PO 4)Cl nanocrystals and nanorods with controlled aspect ratios is presented. It has been shown that the obtained Mn 2(PO 4)Cl has an orthorhombic structure. Uniform Mn 2(PO 4)Cl nanocrystals of about 20 nm and nanorods with diameters of 50–75 nm and lengths of 200–450 nm have been successfully synthesized by a solvothermal microemulsion method under mild conditions, and the aspect ratios of as-obtained nanorods can be properly adjusted by altering the [H 2O]/[surfactant] molar ratios. The possible formation mechanisms of nanoparticles and nanorods were proposed and were supported by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations and superior dispersity in nonpolar solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mn2P2S6 single-crystal nanorods with diameters 20–40 nm and lengths up to 1 μm and nanotubes with diameters 40–50 nm and lengths ranging between 110 and 170 nm have been prepared through a low-temperature solvothermal method. They have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution (HR) TEM, electron diffraction, energy-dispersive spectrometry analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of annual natural runoff recorded at eight hydrological stations in the Yellow River basin (YRB) and distributed at the main channel and two sub-basins (Weihe basin and Fenhe basin) are studied during the period from 1951 to 1998. The trends and the beginning points (or abrupt changes) of these series are detected with Mann-Kendall test (M-K test) and its progressive application. The results show that there are similar trends for different stations. The annual natural runoff series, except for stations of Lanzhou, Hekouzhen, and Longmen, have a downward tendency at some stations whose beginning points of the trend or abrupt changes occurred in the early or mid 1990s. However, their initial years of decrease are different. The decreasing trend of runoff has led to drying-up in lower reaches of the YRB, a water resources scarcity crisis, and a deterioration of the ecosystem. The reasons for the trends have been analyzed in this paper The trends of precipitation in the corresponding regions are similar to those of annual natural runoff It is an important aspect for runoff decrease. In addition, human activities have changed the hydrological cycle and lead to a reduction in runoff to a certain degree. Finally, two countermeasures for the runoff decrease are put forward. One is to develop water savings in irrigation regions, and the other is to plan South-to-North water transfer projects for the YRB. However the conflict between supply and demand will still exist for a long time because of the water scarcity in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the tissue culture and propagation technology in Tagetes patula L. [Method] By using tissue culture technology, different mass fractions of 6-BA and NAA were added to MS medium to compare the effect of different culture medium on the rapid propagation of T. patula L. [Result] Shoot tips or stem segments of T. patula L. were used as explants for tissue culture with an appropriate sterilization time of 8 min; differentiation effect of shoot tips was better than that of stem segments; callus generation rate was high with the high content of growth regulators; MS medium containing 0.1 mg/L NAA and 1.5 mg/L 6-BA was used for subculture proliferation with a subculture period of 4 weeks; rooting rate of plantlet was the maximum (97% ) in 1/2MS medium containing 0.2 mg/L NAA, and the root system was relatively developed. [ Conclusion] This study provided technical support for the industrialized seedling breeding of T. patula L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain metastases (BMs) usually develop in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. In addition to systemic therapy, radiation therapy and surgery, anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy is another promising clinical anticancer treatment modality. However, the optimal timing and drug-drug interactions of anti-PD-L1 therapy with other combined treatments remain to be elucidated. Treatment with anti-PD-L1 therapy is associated with an increased risk of radionecrosis (RN) regardless of tumor histology. The present study described a case of RN in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma and with BM who received anti-PD-L1 therapy. Before anti-PD-L1 treatment, the patient received whole brain radiotherapy. During durvalumab treatment, the intracranial metastases regressed. The progression of intracranial lesions 9 months later prompted a second-line of therapy with PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). Despite stereotactic irradiation, the lesions progressed further, leading to surgical resection. On examination, RN was detected, but there was no evidence of metastatic lung cancer. The aim of the present study was to present the longitudinal change in magnetic resonance imaging in RN following STR and anti-PD-L1 combined therapy. The atypical image of RN is conditionally important for making an accurate preoperative diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we systematically investigate a kind of highly localized nonleaky surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in a simple system consisting of a monolayer array of disjunct steel cylinders immersed in water. It shows that the nonleaky SAWs can be attributed to the couplings of the dipolar modes in adjoining steel cylinders, and the couplings of the quadruple modes in adjoining steel cylinders when they are closer. When the SAWs are excited within a finite system, beat patterns are formed, and the cause is analyzed. All the experiments show excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions. This kind of nonleaky SAWs may find potential applications in lab-on-chip devices and acoustic sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper establishes a water resources vulnerability framework based on sensitivity, natural resilience and artificial adaptation, through the analyses of the four states of the water system and its accompanying transformation processes. Furthermore, it proposes an analysis method for water resources vulnerability based on connection entropy, which extends the concept of contact entropy. An example is given of the water resources vulnerability in Anhui Province of China, which analysis illustrates that, overall, vulnerability levels fluctuated and showed apparent improvement trends from 2001 to 2015. Some suggestions are also provided for the improvement of the level of water resources vulnerability in Anhui Province, considering the viewpoint of the vulnerability index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kernel weight and size are important components of grain yield in cereals. Although some information is available concerning the map positions of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for kernel weight and size in maize, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of these QTLs. qGW4.05 is a major QTL that is associated with kernel weight and size in maize. We combined linkage analysis and association mapping to fine-map and identify candidate gene(s) at qGW4.05. Results: QTL qGW4.05 was fine-mapped to a 279.6-kb interval in a segregating population derived from a cross of Huangzaosi with LV28. By combining the results of regional association mapping and linkage analysis, we identified GRMZM2G039934 as a candidate gene responsible for qGW4.05. Candidate gene-based association mapping was conducted using a panel of 184 inbred lines with variable kernel weights and kernel sizes. Six polymorphic sites in the gene GRMZM2G039934 were significantly associated with kernel weight and kernel size. Conclusion: The results of linkage analysis and association mapping revealed that GRMZM2G039934 is the most likely candidate gene for qGW4.05. These results will improve our understanding of the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms underlying kernel development in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) that severely affects the patient's quality of life. Schisandrin A, maybe a novel therapeutic option for patients with diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DIED). Materials and Methods: After induction by streptozotocin administration, rats were divided into four groups: Normal control (NC), DIED, low dosage (5 mg/kg/d), middle dosage (10 mg/kg/d), and high dosage (20 mg/kg/d) of schisandrin A treated DIED group. All groups were treated with normal saline or the relevant drug for 8 weeks. Body weight, erectile rate, intracavernosal pressure (ICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and serum glucose concentration were measured. The nitrate reductase method and nitric oxide synthase activity assay detected nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels. Pulldown assay detected GTP-RhoA activity. Western blotting detected alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Collagen III, Collagen IV, RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, phospho-myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (p-MYPT-1), MYPT-1, phospho-eNOS (p-eNOS), and eNOS expressions. Results: Compared with the NC group, schisandrin A alleviated the ED rate of DIED rats, and increased ICP and ICP/MAP in DIED + SA group. Schisandrin A increased NO level and activated p-eNOS in penile tissues of DIED group. The expression of α-SMA increased, whereas, TGF-β1, Collagen III, Collagen IV decreased in DIED + SA group compared to DIED group. Schisandrin A inhibited the levels of GTP-RhoA, RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, and p-MYPT1 in penile tissues from rats of DIED. Schisandrin A in the high dose group (20 mg/kg/d) had a better effective effect on DIED. Conclusion: Schisandrin A ameliorated erectile dysfunction in rats with DIED by promoting eNOS production, inhibiting fibrosis, and inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on thermostable ionizable lipid-like nanoparticle (iLAND) as small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment for hyperlipidemia. It rationally designs a series of ionizable lipid-like materials; and fabricated and evaluated four panels of lipid formulations in four representative structures. It concludes that siRNA@iLAND with thermostable A1-D1-5 offers value for siRNA delivery, hyperlipidemia therapy and prevention of metabolic diseases.

TRIM28 is a universal corepressor for Kruppel-associated box zinc finger proteins. In this study, we demonstrated the expression of TRIM28 gene was significantly higher in cancerous tissues than in noncancerous tissues (P < 0.001). TRIM28 knockdown resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation in liquid media as well as in soft agar. The proliferation rate was impaired and the cell cycle progression was inhibited after knockdown of TRIM28 in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines PAa and SK-MES-1. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect circulating cancer cells in 138 non-small cell lung cancer patients. The overall positive detection rate was 30.4% (42 of 138) in peripheral blood of NSCLC patients and was 29.9% (29 of 97) in early-stage patients. In a 70-month follow-up study, 20 of 29 patients (69.0%) in TRIM28 positive group had recurrence and/or metastasis, significantly higher (P = 0.004) than in the TRIM28 negative group (25 of 68, 36.8%). In addition, non-small cell lung cancer patients whose circulating cancer cells expressed TRIM28 suffered shorter tumor-specific survival compared with those with absent TRIM28 expression (P < 0.001). Results of our study showed that TRIM28 provides a survival advantage to lung cancer cells and may be a new marker to predict metastasis and prognosis in earlystage non-small cell lung cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain metastases (BMs) usually develop in breast cancer (BC) patients. Thus, the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) are of great importance in designing therapeutic strategies to treat or prevent BCBM. The present study attempted to identify novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of BCBM. Two datasets (GSE125989 and GSE100534) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to find differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in cases of BC with and without brain metastasis (BM). A total of 146 overlapping DEGs, including 103 up-regulated and 43 down-regulated genes, were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched for functions including extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and collagen catabolic fibril organization. Using protein–protein interaction (PPI) and principal component analysis (PCA) analysis, we identified ten key genes, including LAMA4, COL1A1, COL5A2, COL3A1, COL4A1, COL5A1, COL5A3, COL6A3, COL6A2, and COL6A1. Additionally, COL5A1, COL4A1, COL1A1, COL6A1, COL6A2, and COL6A3 were significantly associated with the overall survival of BC patients. Furthermore, COL6A3, COL5A1, and COL4A1 were potentially correlated with BCBM in human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) expression. Additionally, the miR-29 family might participate in the process of metastasis by modulating the cancer microenvironment. Based on datasets in the GEO database, several DEGs have been identified as playing potentially important roles in BCBM in BC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, MoO3 microrods were prepared using corn straw as biological template via roasting process The components and crystal characterization of the material were investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the electrochemistry property and mechanism were studied. The results showed that the MoO3 material synthesized by template method is orthorhombic structures. The MoO3 particles were submicron and micron rods with uniform distribution and a smooth surface. MoO3 microrods had an average diameter that ranged from 1 to 2 μm. The result indicated that the MoO3 as the new negative of aluminum battery delivers a higher discharge capacity of 190 mA·h·g-1 at a scanning rate of 1 mV·s-1, which showing good capacity and cycling performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cascade reservoirs were designed for the Yalong River basin, which ranks as the third-largest hydropower base in China. Reservoir impoundment has certain impacts on local climate, but few researches focus on this field. This paper integrates spatiotemporal analysis techniques and geostatistical methods to identify the reservoir projected meteorological indices (MIs) variations as well as the impact scope under different circumstances. Results show that the reservoir projected variations of moisture indexes were much more significant than temperatures. Anthropogenic disturbance has led to a dramatic decrease of relative humidity in the past decade, far beyond its periodic amplitude range. Moreover, dry valleys faced more serious drought risk, but reservoir impoundment of this region alleviated the local drought risk. The daily minimum temperature, relative to the maximum temperature, was more sensitive to catchment changes with an earlier appearance of temperature zone variation. Since impounding, the MIs' internal relationships in nondry valleys varied significantly more than that in dry valleys, with a positive correlation of 0.7 between the relative humidity and precipitation weakening greatly. The severe warming hotspots are distributed in the upper reach and have a probability of 0.95-1 to exceed the 1.5°C IPCC control target. This study provides references for the disturbance of reservoir impoundment to local climate at multiple temporal--spatial scales under different circumstances and contributes to the MIs variation pattern identification and quantitative risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, MoO3 microrods was prepared using corn straw as biological template via roasting process．The components and crystal characterization of the material were investigated via X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and the electrochemistry property and mechanism was studied．The results show that the MoO3 material synthesized by template method is Orthorhombic structures．And the MoO3 particles were submicron and micron rods with uniform distribution and a smooth surface. MoO3 microrods had an average diameter that ranged from 1 to 2 μm. The result indicated that the MoO3 as the new negative of aluminum battery delivers a higher discharge capacity of 190 mAh/g at a scanning rate of 1mv/s, which showing good capacity and cycling performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic optical coherence elastography (OCE) tracks elastic wave propagation speed within tissue, enabling quantitative three-dimensional imaging of the elastic modulus. We show that propagating mechanical waves are mode converted at interfaces, creating a finite region on the order of an acoustic wavelength where there is not a simple one-to-one correspondence between wave speed and elastic modulus. Depending on the details of a boundary's geometry and elasticity contrast, highly complex propagating fields produced near the boundary can substantially affect both the spatial resolution and contrast of the elasticity image. We demonstrate boundary effects on Rayleigh waves incident on a vertical boundary between media of different shear moduli. Lateral resolution is defined by the width of the transition zone between two media and is the limit at which a physical inclusion can be detected with full contrast. We experimentally demonstrate results using a spectraldomain OCT system on tissue-mimicking phantoms, which are replicated using numerical simulations. It is shown that the spatial resolution in dynamic OCE is determined by the temporal and spatial characteristics (i.e., bandwidth and spatial pulse width) of the propagating mechanical wave. Thus, mechanical resolution in dynamic OCE inherently differs from the optical resolution of the OCT imaging system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimer nanostructure as a pair of closely-spaced metal nanoparticles supports the localized surface plasmon (LSP) forming in designed area, showing signal enhancement and chirality, and it can offer a fundamental approach to studying the photonic interaction between nanoparticles. Thus an efficient way to realize dimer nanostructures with controllable gap size is important for the study of LSP resonance. In this paper, angle evaporation of Au is utilized to realize the varied dimer gap within tens of nm leading to the efficient adjusting of LSP resonance. Experimental results coupled with theoretical FDTD simulations revealed strong polarization-dependent transmission bands at the adjustable LSP resonance. The theoretical study showed an enhancement of over 2000 times of the localized electrical field intensity confined within dimer gap. Our method is expected to realize large-area LSP nanostructures for the application in metamaterial and chemical sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an embryogenic callus induction and proliferation system for Hippeastrum vittatum was established, with the tender bulbs as expiants. And then the sensitivity of the expiants and calli to kanamycin and hygromycin was evaluated. The results suggested that the embryogenic calli were induced from tender bulbs and cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L N-phenyl-N'-l, 2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea (TDZ), 1.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and 30 g/L sucrose (pH5.8) in the dark at 25 ± 1°C. Further study of the influence of kanamycin and hygromycin on callus induction and multiplication showed that, the lethal doses of kanamycin and hygromycin to bulb expiants were 100 and 30 mg/L, respectively. All expiants of H. vittatum died on the medium supplemented with 100 mg/L kanamycin or 30 mg/L hygromycin at the induction stage, and callus proliferation was completely inhibited by 100 mg/L kanamycin or 25 mg/L hygromycin, and all the calli died at last. These results will provide important reference for further studies of transgenic H. vittatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new development form for evaluating the regional water resources carrying capacity, forewarning regional water resources of their carrying capacities is an important adjustment and control measure for regional water security management. Up to now, most research on this issue have been qualitative analyses, with a lack of quantitative research. For this reason, an index system for forewarning regional water resources of their carrying capacities and grade standards, has been established in Anhui Province, China, in this paper. Subjective weights of forewarning indices can be calculated using a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, based on an accelerating genetic algorithm, while objective weights of forewarning indices can be calculated by using a projection pursuit method, based on an accelerating genetic algorithm. These two kinds of weights can be combined into combination weights of forewarning indices, by using the minimum relative information entropy principle. Furthermore, a forewarning model of regional water resources carrying capacity, based on entropy combination weight, is put forward. The model can fully integrate subjective and objective information in the process of forewarning. The results show that the calculation results of the model are reasonable and the method has high adaptability. Therefore, this model is worth studying and popularizing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic Gram-positive spore-forming gut pathogen that causes antibioticassociated diarrhea worldwide. A small number of C. difficile strains express the binary toxin (CDT), which is generally found in C. difficile 027 (ST1) and/or 078 (ST11) in clinic. However, we isolated a binary toxin-positive non-027, non-078 C. difficile LC693 that is associated with severe diarrhea in China. The genotype of this strain was determined as ST201. To understand the pathogenesis-basis of C. difficile ST201, the strain LC693 was chosen for whole genome sequencing, and its genome sequence was analyzed together with the other two ST201 strains VL-0104 and VL-0391 and compared to the epidemic 027/ST1 and 078/ST11 strains. Results: The project finally generated an estimated genome size of approximately 4.07 Mbp for strain LC693. Genome size of the three ST201 strains ranged from 4.07 to 4.16 Mb, with an average GC content between 28.5 and 28.9%. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the ST201 strains belonged to clade 3. The ST201 genomes contained more than 40 antibiotic resistance genes and 15 of them were predicted to be associated with vancomycinresistance. The ST201 strains contained a larger PaLoc with a Tn6218 element inserted than the 027/ST1 and 078/ST11 strains, and encoded a truncated TcdC. In addition, the ST201 strains contained intact binary toxin coding and regulation genes which are highly homologous to the 027/ST1 strain. Genome comparison of the ST201 strains with the epidemic 027 and 078 strain identified 641 genes specific for C. difficile ST201, and a number of them were predicted as fitness and virulence associated genes. The presence of those genes also contributes to the pathogenesis of the ST201 strains. Conclusions: In this study, the genomic characterization of three binary toxin-positive C. difficile ST201 strains in clade 3 was discussed and compared to the genomes of the epidemic 027 and the 078 strains. Our analysis identified a number fitness and virulence associated genes/loci in the ST201 genomes that contribute to the pathogenesis of C. difficile ST201. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The emergence and spread of Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) is becoming a serious problem in Chinese hospitals, however, the data on this is scarce. Therefore, we investigate the risk factors for healthcare-associated CREC infection and study the incidence, antibiotic resistance and medical costs of CREC infections in our hospital.Methods: We conducted a retrospective, matched case-control-control, parallel study in a tertiary teaching hospital. Patients admitted between January 2012 and December 2015 were included in this study. For patients with healthcare-associated CREC infection, two matched subject groups were created; one group with healthcare-associated CSEC infection and the other group without infection.Results: Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis demonstrated that prior hospital stay (<6 months) (OR:3.96; 95%CI:1.26-12.42), tracheostomy (OR:2.24; 95%CI: 1.14-4.38), central venous catheter insertion (OR: 8.15; 95%CI: 2.31-28.72), carbapenem exposure (OR: 12.02; 95%CI: 1.52-95.4), urinary system disease (OR: 16.69; 95%CI: 3.01-89.76), low hemoglobin (OR: 2.83; 95%CI: 1.46-5.50), and high blood glucose are associated (OR: 7.01; 95%CI: 1.89-26.02) with CREC infection. Total costs (p = 0.00), medical examination costs (p = 0.00), medical test costs (p = 0.00), total drug costs (p = 0.00) and ant-infective drug costs (p = 0.00) for the CREC group were significantly higher than those for the no infection group. Medical examination costs (p = 0.03), total drug costs (p = 0.03), and anti-infective drug costs (p = 0.01) for the CREC group were significantly higher than for the CSEC group. Mortality in CREC group was significantly higher than the CSEC group (p = 0.01) and no infection group (p = 0.01).Conclusion: Many factors were discovered for acquisition of healthcare-associated CREC infection. CREC isolates were resistant to most antibiotics, and had some association with high financial burden and increased mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exploring genetic differentiation and genomic variation is important for both the utilization of heterosis and the dissection of the genetic bases of complex traits. Methods: We integrated 1857 diverse maize accessions from America, Africa, Europe and Asia to investigatetheir genetic differentiation, genomic variation using 43,252 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs),combing GWAS and linkage analysis strategy to exploring the function of relevant genetic segments. Results: We uncovered many more subpopulations that recently or historically formed during the breeding process. These patterns are represented by the following lines: Mo17, GB, E28, Ye8112, HZS, Shen137, PHG39, B73, 207, A634, Oh43, Reid Yellow Dent, and the Tropical/subtropical (TS) germplasm. A total of 85 highly differentiated regions with a DEST of more than 0.2 were identified between the TS and temperate subpopulations. These regions comprised 79 % of the genetic variation, and most were significantly associated with adaptive traits. For example, the region containing the SNP tag PZE.108075114 was highly differentiated, and this region was significantly associated with flowering time (FT)-related traits, as supported by a genome-wide association study (GWAS) within the interval of FTrelated quantitative trait loci (QTL). This region was also closely linked to zcn8 and vgt1, which were shown to be involved in maize adaptation. Most importantly, 197 highly differentiated regions between different subpopulation pairs were located within an FT- or plant architecture-related QTL. Conclusions: Here we reported that 700-1000 SNPs were necessary needed to robustly estimate the genetic differentiation of a naturally diverse panel. In addition, 13 subpopulations were observed in maize germplasm, 85 genetic regions with higher differentiation between TS and temperate maize germplasm, 197 highly differentiated regions between different subpopulation pairs, which contained some FT-related QTNs/QTLs/genes supported by GWAS and linkage analysis, and these regions were expected to play important roles in maize adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A waste load allocation method was developed for industrial wastewater management based on unfairness factors, an industrial allocation factor and pollution reduction discounts. Three unfairness factors were defined to assess the relative efficiencies of energy consumption, pollution discharge and waste treatment costs for different industries. The overall effect of these factors was described by an industrial allocation factor. Based on the values of these factors, industries were classified into three types, after which waste load allocation proportions among different industries were determined using different pollution reduction discounts. This waste load allocation method was then applied in the Zhangweinan Watershed, which is one of the most seriously polluted watersheds in northern China. The results revealed that extractive, mechanical and food industries comprise the type I industries, which had the lowest pollution reduction discounts of 0, 0.25 and 0.5, respectively. The metallurgical industry and other industries were characterized as type II and discounts of 0.5 and 0.6 were given to their primary reductions. Textile, pharmaceutical, oil and pyrogenic, chemical and paper industries were classified as type III industries and had a waste load reduction of more than 80% of the pollution discharge in 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an interval-based air quality index optimization (IAQO) method was developed for the planning of regional air quality management systems. The developed IAQO method introduced an air quality index (AQI) concept into an interval mathematical programming (IMP) framework to handle uncertainties expressed as interval values in the model's left- and right-hand sides and objective function over a multipollutant environmental management for its capacity of integrated evaluation and health risk analysis with ambient concentrations. A management problem for controlling total air pollutant concentrations was studied to illustrate applicability of the proposed IAQO approach. A number of scenarios based on different ambient air quality management policies were analyzed. Results indicate that reasonable solutions have been generated under different levels of violating AQI risk. They can help decision makers to identify desired alternatives for mitigating air pollution with cost minimization and for providing services for regional air quality management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]